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Before I start write my story on how I went gluten free, I encourage you to read these articles on gluten intolerance: http://www.celiaccentral.org/non-celiac-gluten-sensitivity/testing-and-diagnosis/http://www.xojane.com/healthy/celiac-disease-gluten-free-shame-embarassedHaving said that, of course you are entitled to your own opinion on whether "gluten sensitivity" is an actual thing or not. I don't judge your viewpoint and it baffles me that people are so openly judgmental on this topic when what I eat does not effect you personally. I know how I feel when I eat it and I know how I felt when I stopped eating it; for the most part the people in my life that are important to me have accepted this no questions asked and that has meant a lot. Like I said in my post last week, I did not just decide on a whim that I was going to stop eating gluten and dairy. I suffered through years of upset stomachs and in general feeling like shit before I spoke to my doctor about it (those close to me know I will avoid going to the doctor at all costs). After speaking in great detail to my doctor about my symptoms she encouraged me to try cutting gluten out for a week before I got tested to see if I felt better and within 3 days of not eating it, physically I knew that it was the right choice. After getting tested and getting a negative result back for Celiac Disease, I had another long conversation with my doctor about what that meant. She threw around IBS as a possibility but also mentioned that having a gluten intolerance could also be very likely even though there is not a way to test for it. Her suggestion was that since I felt 100 times better, to keep eating a gluten free diet and I have stuck to it since then. Was it difficult at first to give up bagels, cake and pasta when I was already cutting out dairy from my diet? Absolutely. Do I still wish some days even after a year and a half that I could eat something as simple as cheese and crackers without getting morbidly sick? Absolutely. Have I found alternatives for all of these things? Absolutely. Are some of them horrible? Absolutely, but I have also found some really great gluten and dairy free products and in upcoming weeks I plan to review some of these finds with you. I hope after reading this that you have a better understanding about why I do not eat dairy or gluten and that while it may not be something that you would choose for yourself or that you agree with, you can see where I am coming from. I am curious if there is anyone else that has felt judged for a choice they made in their lives they felt was for the better? What was it and why did you choose it?xo